EU approves air transport deal with Israel

EU transport ministers Thursday authorised the signing and provisional application of an aviation agreement between the 27-member European bloc and Israel. The agreement provides in particular for a gradual and reciprocal market opening - with full market opening by 2017, said the ministers in a statement after their meeting in Brussels today. The deal also foresses an increase in weekly flight frequencies and the possibility for EU airlines to operate freely from any point within the EU to any point in Israel. In addition, new arrangements based on EU legislation, for regulatory cooperation and convergence between the EU and Israel are established in fields essential for the safe, secure and efficient operation of air services, it added